Flash igniter



Fatented June 1, i925.

OSCAR. J. LEINS, OF MILVJAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO MILWAUKEE GAS SPE- CIALTY OO., O]? MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

FLASH IGNITER.

Application filed December 12, 1323. Serial No. 630,185.

This invention relates to flash igniters for gasburners and the like,and more particularly to flash igniters of the single flash type, in which a single flame is employed for selectively igniting any of a series of burners. p

In lighting devices or igniters of this sort considerable difficulty has been encountered in preventing leakage, especially at the oini which permits movement of the lighter to selectively direct the single pilot or flame toward the desired burner. Ground joints have been provided in which a relatively stationary and a relatively movable member are employed, one with aconical bore and the other with a conical surface seated in said here, but in leading the or otl fuel past such a joint, the prior art devices interrupt the continuity of the conical bore or of the conical surface seated therein, or both. The interruption of either or both said surfaces, interrupts the continuity of cooperation t-herehctwcen, and in the'operation of the device the relative movement hetween the parts produces uneven wear in said surfaces. This impairs the tightness of the joint and leakage results.

One object of my invention is to prevent this leakage and to provide a joint which will wear uniformly and seat tightly at all times. p 1

Another object is to improve and simplify the construction of devices of this sort and to provide a device having a minimum numher of parts which may be manufactured and assembled at a minimum cost and which may beconveniently taken apart for cleaning'and repair. I

Another object is the proviion of a novel and simplified igniter and shielding hood therefor.

Another object is the provision of a device which is not dependent upon returning it to a neutral or off position to decrease the igniting flame from its projected lighting to its normal pilot condition and the provision of novel and improved means for selectively directing. the igniter to the desired point and for projecting the flame to the selected point.

To the end of simplifying and improving the construction and minimizing the nu nherof parts, connnon means is prefering the flame. In projecting the flame the movement of the fuel increasing means is in the direction of the seating movement between the relatively movable parts of the devie Common means is provided for regulating the restricted or normal pilot position of the igniter flame and for securing the flame projecting means in operative position. One end of the member having the conical here is closed against the entrance of dust and dirt, and enclosed within said memher is means for holding the other member seated th rand for automatically taking up the wear between the parts.

Other features not already set forth will appear from the following detailed description and the claims taken with an inspection of the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a top plan view of an igniter embodying the present invention, illustrating diagrammatically its disposition with respect to the burners of a stove;

Fig. '2 is a longitudinal detailed section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed section on line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail section on line 4-4: of Fig. 2;

Fig. .5 is a detailed section on line 55 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a detailed section on line 66 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, 5 designates the relatively stationary and 6 the relatively movablepart of the igniter. Although the present invention is not limited to embodiment in the valve of the igniter, part 5 is shown in the form of a valve shell having a threaded nipple 7 to be threaded or tapped into and rigidly secured in a fuel supply pipe 8 which may be the gas supply pipe to the stove, for example. Shell 5 is provided with a vertically disposed'bore preferably tapered comically at 8 down to the upper end of a cylindrical well 10 which continues from the lower end of the conical portion of the bore. A pa or duct 12 leads through nipple or en nsion 7 and ill) permits rotation of part 6 relative to part 5 and at the same time provides a tight joint between said parts. Rotatable member 6 is provided with an internally threaded bore forming a. chamber 15, and below the conical exterior of plug 14 said member is tapered abruptly at 16. Ducts 17 open through the abruptly tapered portion 16 into chamber thereby placing said chamber 15 in communication with well 10.

The lower end of shell 5 is bored out and internally threaded at 18 and the lower end of member 6 has an integral stem 19 which projects through an opening 20 and down into said bored out lower end of shell 5. Surrounding the projecting end of stem 19 and seated in a recess 21 and upon an'inclined surface 22 is a fiber washer 23 and seated upon said fiber washer is a metallic ring or washer 9.45, between which and a similar ring or washer 25 av coiled spring 26 is interposed A removable cotter pin 27 secured in the lower end of stem 19 and projecting diametrically therefrom prevents downward displacement of washer 25. Spring 26 holds'the tapered seating surface of plug 1% firmly seated in the tapered bore 8 and automatically takes'up thewear between the cooperating tapered surfaces, and it also holds washer 23 firmly seated to provide a tight joint'at'the lowere'nd of stem 19. A cap 29 provided with a screw driver slot 29 is threaded into and closes bore 18, dust and dirt being thereby excluded from said bore and the means for maintaining the conical plug seated being enclosed and locked in position. a

The disposition of ducts 17 below theconical seating surface of plug 11- disposes the entrance of ducts 17 into well l'Obelow' the conical bore of shell 5 and permits leading the gas or other fuel past the ground joint between the tapered exterior of plug let and the conical seating surface in shell 5 without interrupting the continuity of the cooperating conical surfaces. The result is that in the relative movement between parts 5 and 6 the cooperating conical surfaces wear uniformly and remain tight and properly seated. There are no interruptions," ports or openings in either of said surfaces, such as have heretofore produced ridges and uneven wear in the'cooperating conical surfaces in the action of the igniter with a resulting impairment of the tightness of the joints. Veil 10 1nay be of cylindrical formation as shown, or it may be flared outwardly toward its lower end, the essential feature being that the portion of the bore interrupted by 'duct 12 does not form part of the seating surface for the conical plug" 1d and surface 16 through which ducts 17 extend does not 'cooperate' with the shell in seatingthe plug.

To the end of producing uniform wear upper end of the cooperating between the external conical surface of plug 1e and the cooperating internal conical surface 8 to maintain the joint tight a tier use, the conical socket 8 extends up above the conical surface of plug 14: and the cooperating conical surface of the plug extends down below the conical socket S as shown in Fig. The result of this is that in the action of the valve, the conical seating surface of plug 1% extending below socket 8, there are no circumferential ridges produced'in socket S in the direction of the seating movement of plug 1% such as would be produced with the accompanying impairment of the tightness of the joint if the plug terminated short of the lower end of surface S. The extension of conical surface 8 above the cooperating conical surface of plug L1 similarly avoids ridges in the conical surface of the plug. such would be formed in the conical seating surface. of the plug if said surface extended above the conical socket 8.

Threaded into bore 15 at 30 is a plunger cage 31 reduced'at 32 to form an annular passage 33 and provided at its upper end with a head formed non-circular at $35 for engagement by a wrench or other suitable tool The lower endof cage ill forms a valve seat engagcable by the head 36 of a plunger valve 37 whose stem 238 extends upwardly through the cage and carries button or head 39 threaded thereon. Head 36 is normally urged to closed po:-.ition by a spring -10 disposed within the upper portion of cage 31 and bearing at one end against button 30 and at its opposite end against a shoulder 11 within cage 31.

"ecting b it) into which one end ()i' m is threaded. k duct 1 leads from anirony-iii boss Ta) and opens nuiar pa.

into tube )c being' urned up at St and carries at its opposite end a tiring hcad'fio. I

A lever arm 5 3 ha 5T fuicrumed at at on'a lug or car 51? proj boss rest upon button 51?) w turned 1rd end]; up from nn its down my down turned flanges depending into cooperation with opposite'iiat sides or ed e 35) of the button and holding the button againstv rota tion when arm 56 is in cooperation therewith. A pin 0 binds lever 5.; and button 3.) together. Pin 60 constitutes a valve pin. It is threaded through button 3.) and into stem 38, and its lower end is tapered and co- "eor duct e2 through valve head.

creasin the fuel sun 71 to the firim head V or jet a long jet out tlame is projected. A

62 or formed integral therewith.

hood 65 surrounds jet 62 and protects the pilot light from being extinguished by currents of air and from any dead gases from the stove burners, for example. Hood 65 is of cylindrical format-ion having an open end ('36 and tapered at 67 to a radially extending portion welded or otherwise secured to jet A. plurality of air inlet openings 68 through the tapered portion 67 of hood 65 admit air for proper combustion of the tuel'issuing from jet 62. The oblique disposition of these openings 68 directs the vair'supply along the axis of jet 62 just forward of the discharge end of the jet and within hood 65. This assures proper maintenance of the small or singly burning pilot light and also proper combustion of the projected Stream without distorting the same and the disposition oi openings 68 in the tapered portion of the hood permits a maximum size of said openings relative the diameter of the hood. The hoodand jet are removed and replaced upon tube 52 as a unit.

In operation a small pilot light is normally maintained at jet 62 by the passage of fuel from pipe 8through duct 12, well 10, ducts 17,-cl'iamber 15, duct 42, the interior of stem l8, ports l, cagefil, ports it), space 33, duct 58 and the tube 52 to jet 62. The size of the normal pilot light may be adjusted by turning screw 60. To light either of the burners B orB"finger piece or arm 56 is grassed andthe movable or rotatable part of the igniter is turned selectively into either of the dotted line positions shown or any other position in its range of'movement to direct tip 6; toward the burnerto be lighted. Lever 56 is then depressed to unseat valve head 36, whereupon the fuel supplied to the firing head is directly through the open end oi valve cage 31. This in creases the supply and. projects a long slen der jet of flame to the burner for igniting the same. In increasing the. fuel supply to project the flame, the movement of the plunger valve is in the direction oi the seating of plug let on surface 8. Play or looseness between the parts after use is thereby minimized. The single screw 60 regulates the normal pilot flame and holds lever securely in place. The lower end of shell 5 and the means for holding the plug seated are all enclosed. The device is not dependeasily assen'iblcd and dismantled for cleaning and repair. liemoval of cap 28 permits access to pin 2. and removal of said pin permits sepa ration of parts 5 and 6. Removal ol' screw ('30 permits arm 56 to be swung out of the way and cage 31 may then be readily unscrewed rom part 6. Untl reading 01 button 39 permits separation of valve 37 from cage 31.

While I have described the invention in connection with the details of a particular unbodiment, the invention is not limited to such details, nor is it limited to embodiment in the valve mechanism of the igniter. The fuel be led past the ground joint with out interrupting the continuity thereof in manners other than the particular one shown.

I claim 1. In a device of the class described, the

.combination of a valve casing connected "ith a source of fuel, a plug rotatably mounted therein, a supply tube carried by and communicating with said plug, an uninterrupted conical seat in said casing, an uninterrupted conical seating surface on said plug and co-acting with said seat, and means for conveying fuel from said easing into said plug without interrupting the continuity of the co-acting portions of said seat and seating surface.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a valve casing connected with a source of fuel, a plug rotatably mounted therein, an uninterrupted conical seat in said casing, an uninterrupted conical surface on said plug and co-acting with said seat, and means for conveying fuel from said easing into said plug and from the plug without interrupting the continuity of the co-acting portions of said seat and seating surface.

3. In a device of the class described the combination, of a pair of ignitermembers one adapted for noveinent relative the other, a continuous seat on one of: said members, and a seating surface on the other member co-acting with and seated on said seat and means for conveying fuel from one of said members to the other with said last member seated on said seat and without interrupting the continuity oi said seat.

l. In a device of the class described the combination, of a pair of igniter members one adapted for movement relative the other, a seat on one of said members, and a .continuous seating surface on the other member co-acting with and seating on said seat and means for conveying fuel from one of said members to the other with said last member seated on said seat and Without interrupting the continuity of said seating surface.

In a device of the lass described, the combination. of pair of igniter members one adapted for movement relative the other, an uninterrupted seat on one of said members, an uninterrupted seating surface on the other member co-acting vvith and seated on said seal, and means for conveying fuel from one of said members to the other vvith said seating surface seated on said seat and vithout interrupting the continuity of said sea and seating surface.

(3. In a device of the class described the combination, of a pair of igniter members one adapted for movement relative the other, a continuous ground joint between said members, and means for conveying fuel from one of said members to the other vitl out interrupting the continuity of said joint.

7. In a device of the class de cribe(, a, igniter member having a conical socket, a second ignitcr member having a conical surface having continuous cooperation vvith and rotatably seated in said socket. and means for conveying fuel from one of said members to the other vvith said second membcr seated in said socket and Without inte rupting the continuity of cooperation betvveen said surface and said socket.

8. in a device of the class described. a valve casing member adapted for connection with a source of fuel supply and having an in ernal chat .iber and an internal conical seat, means for supplying fuel into said cha die: outsn'le said central sca atively movable valve member having a conical surface seated on the conical seat of said first member, and means for supplying fuel into said relatively movable valve inen'iber outside the conical seating surface thereof.

1). In a device of the class described. a valve casing member adapted for connection vvith a source of fuel supply, a conical socket in said member, a well belovv socket, a duct opening from the source rotatably mounted in said casing-member rd having a conical surface seated in said socket, port means opening from said Well into said relatively movable valve member belou' the conical seating surface thereof, a lube leading from said relativtny movable valve member. and a firing head-on said tube.

10- ln a device of the class described. a reletivel v' stationary member to. conncc tion with a source of fuel supply, a second memliicr rotatably seated on said first In mber, a firing head, means for supplyin a pplv into said vvcll, a valve member restricted supply of fuel to said tiring head, and common means for rotating said second member to shift the firing head to selective positions and for increasing the fuel supply to the firing head, said means acting in the direction of the seating movement of said second member on said first member in increasing the fuel supply to the firing head.

11. In a device of the class described, a relatively stationary valve member for connection vvith a source of fuel supply, said member having a conical seating surface, a movable valve member rotatably seated on said conical surface. a supply tube connected to said movable valve member, a firing head on said tube, means for supplying a restricted fuel supply to the tiring head, com mon means for rotating the movable valve member to shift the firing head to selective positions and for increasing the fuel supply to the firing head, said means acting in the direction of the seating of the movable valve member on the conical seating surface of the relatively stationary valve member in increasing the fuel supply to the firing head, and common means for holding said first common means in operative position and for r gulating the restricted fuel supply to the ng head.

12. In a device of the class described, a relatively stationary valve casing member having a conical socket, a relatively movable val e memberhaving; a conical plug seated in said socket, said relatively movable valve member having a valve seat, a valve member for co-action with said seat, said last valve member having a projecting stem, a bypass through said last valve member, an arm pivoted to said second relatively movable valve member, and adapted for turning same in said relatively stationary valve casing member, and a valve pin wit-urine said arm to the valve stem projecting from the relatively stationary valve casing member and adapted for regulating the fuel supply by vvay of said by-pass.

13. In a device of the class described, a valve casingmember adapted for counectimi with a source of fuel supply, a relatively movable valve member seated in said casing and having a stem projecting into a recess in the-opposite end of the 'alve casingmember, means in said recess for holding the relatively movable valve member seated in said casing membe' and for taking up \vear betvveen said members, and a cap enclosing the projecting stem of said relatively movable valve member and the seating means cooperating therewith.

14-. In an igniter, the combination with an igniter member having a conical socket, of a second igniter member having a conical surface seated in said socket, the conical surface of said second igniter member extending beyond said conical socket in the direction of the seating movement of said second member, and the conical socket extending beyond the opposite end of the conical surface of said second member.

15. In a device of the class described, a relatively stationary valve member for connection with a source of fuel supply, a rela tively movable valve member rotatably seated therein, said relatively movable valve member having an internal valve seat, a

valve member cooperable with said seat, said last valve member having a PlOjx'zCtlIlg stem, an arm plvoted to the relatlvely movable valve member and adapted for turning- 1 same in therelatively stationary valve memher, said arm holding said projecting stem against rotation.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 4th day of December, 1923.

OSCAR J. LEINS. 

